You can't see through snow

  • Published
  • By Compiled from staff reports
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Hey you, Jack Frost. 

We can see your beady little eyes trying to navigate the road through that donut-sized hole you scraped clear with your Visa card. 

People like you are road hazards. 

"Look out in your parking lot on a wintry morning and I can almost guarantee you there will be one vehicle sporting a peephole in the windshield," said Staff Sgt. Richard Caudill, 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office. 

This practice, "peep hole" driving, involves a motorist clearing just enough of the driver's side of the windshield to see out. 

Put another way, a peephole driver is attempting to navigate with more than 96 percent of their visibility obscured. 

These motorists are surrounded by an all-encompassing blind spot that may conceal terrible dangers such as another vehicle running a stop sign; perhaps a distracted child crossing the street; or another driver slowing down. Even motorists who clear the entire driver's half of their windshield are still driving more than 80 percent blind. 

"It's all about common sense and courtesy," said Sergeant Caudill. "People need to take into consideration they aren't the only ones on the road." 

Taking the extra time to completely clean their car of frost improves driving conditions for all motorists. Proper visibility makes it easier for drivers to see where they are going and what is coming from all sides. 

"It's also a good idea to clean all snow from headlights and brake lights," said Sergeant Caudill. 

In Alaskan weather, clearing off all windows, headlights and brake lights improves visibility and alerts other drivers when another vehicle is approaching or slowing down. 

"How many times have you been on the road and been startled by a large chunk of ice or snow falling off another vehicle and hitting yours?" he asked. "Chances are the driver didn't take the time to completely clear off the vehicle." 

Motorists are urged to take the time to clear all ice and snow from their vehicles, to include clearing off all snow and ice from the roof, hood and trunk as well, said Sergeant Caudill.